Why Assumptions are Bad for Business 

 

We make assumptions when we don’t fully understand a situation.

It is a natural reaction to immediately fill in any missing

information by making up our own story.  We do this because we

like to try to make sense of people and situations.  The

problem with this is that most of the time our story is

incorrect which causes all kinds of complications.  The fact

is, we don’t know what the truth is unless we ask.

 

As much as we would like to think we know what others are

thinking, we simply can’t read minds.  Sometimes we think we

have the super power to know the reasons why people do the

things they do (without asking them) which is pretty

presumptuous.  Remember, not everyone sees the world the same

way you do (shocker, I know, but it is easy to forget).

 

Need another reason to stop making assumptions?  Try turning it

around, do you believe that other people can read your mind?

Would you rather that someone makes up a story (an assumption)

about what you are thinking and feeling?  Or, would you prefer

if they ask you? 

 

When you ask instead of assume, you may not always get an

answer you like or expect.  Still, asking is much better than

making up your own story because then you are in the position

to make an informed next step.

 

Asking questions seems like an easy thing to do so why don’t we

do it more often?  Why do we sometimes become paralyzed when it

comes time to:

 

- Contact a client to find out why they haven’t responded to a

phone call or e-mail

 

- Ask a partner if they are satisfied with the way you work

together

 

- Ask a colleague if they still plan to make that introduction

for you that they promised

 

It goes something like this.  Let’s say you see a prospective

client at a networking event, he sees you too but when you try

to approach him for a chat he leaves abruptly.  That is all

that happened, you don’t know why he had to leave and yet your

mind starts making up a story, an assumption.

 

You might think he doesn’t like you or that he isn’t interested

in your business.  That may or may not be true but why bother

thinking negative thoughts when you don’t really know the

reason he left.

 

If you want to know the reason, ask!  You may find out that he

just went outside to put money in a parking meter, that he had

a family emergency, or something else which was not related to

you at all.   

 

So how do you do it?  When asking questions, do so in a

non-judgmental way with the intention to discover the truth.

Stick to the facts and use a neutral tone when asking questions

verbally.

 

If you’re still not convinced, here are seven reasons why you,

and your business, may be suffering because of assumptions.

Making assumptions is bad for business because doing so can:

 

1. Cause unnecessary stress

 

2. Waste time and energy

 

3. Create misunderstandings

 

4. Cause you to miss out on great opportunities

 

5. Lower your confidence and create self-doubt

 

6. Lead you to offer the wrong product/service

 

7. Create obstacles that don’t exist

 

Hopefully it is clear why assumptions are not good for your

business and you are willing to stop making them.  Making

assumptions isn’t good for any relationship which means you can

apply this to your personal life as well.  After all, you do

have a life outside of your business right?

 

My challenge to you is to start paying attention to your

thoughts and become aware of when you are making assumptions

and then get into action and ask the right questions.

 

Asking questions is simple, and not always easy.  Find the

courage to do what may feel difficult and just ask.  Ending

assumptions is like any skill, it takes practice.  The more you

do it the easier it will become!

 

(c) 2006 Stephanie Ward

 

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